This article looks at the biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that make women more likely to suffer from anxiety. In addition, strategies for coping with this disease are taught.
It’s interesting to know that anxiety tends to be more common among women. Although both sexes are significantly affected by this mental illness, a higher prevalence is generally seen in the female population. Science has paid attention to this interesting fact, and while it’s true that hormonal factors are an explanatory variable, other triggers also play a role.
One of the reasons for this is the workload. Women tend to take on greater responsibility in caring for children, the elderly and others. In addition, it was observed that women sometimes use less efficient mechanisms to cope with stress.
The subject you mention is very interesting and complex. As time goes by, we’re discovering more and more details about these features. In the following article you will find all the information you need for a better understanding.
Reasons why anxiety is more common in women
A study recently published in the journal brain and behavior reveals interesting data on the prevalence of anxiety in women. According to this report, it is estimated that between 5.2% and 8.7% of women suffer from this disorder. This makes women the second most common group affected by anxiety, after young adults, whose prevalence ranges from 2.5% to 9.1%. This situation is really exhausting and is made worse by other emerging health problems.
Anxiety disorders are closely related to a variety of physical symptoms. Fatigue, muscle pain and indigestion are some of the issues that significantly affect the quality of life of women with this condition. Science has examined both the biological and the psychosocial aspects in order to understand the reasons for this clinical picture.
According to a study published in the Journal of Latin American Psychologya connection was found between depression, anxiety and psychosomatic symptoms in housewives. These women expressed dissatisfaction with their roles, had low self-esteem, and used inadequate mechanisms to cope with emotional stress.
Below we describe some of the main known causes of anxiety in women.
biological factors
Due to biological factors, anxiety is more common in women. Differences in brain chemistry and hormonal fluctuations make them more vulnerable to stressful situations.
It is important to note that there are individual differences and not all people have the same reaction. However, research has highlighted the following data:
- Menstruation: A study published in Women’s Mental Health Archives highlights the hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle, including mood swings. In addition, it has been observed that premenstrual syndrome can increase the risk of developing anxiety.
- pregnancies: Stress and anxiety often occur in the prenatal and postpartum period due to the significant changes in hormones. These situations are normal and can affect both mother and child.
- Menopause: The gradual decline in female fertility has multiple implications. One of them, as mentioned in the magazine menopauseis the increase in anxiety during both the perimenopausal phase and postmenopause.
psychological factors
If you want to understand why anxiety is more common in women, it’s important to understand one key characteristic. Anxiety is not only an emotional response to stress, but can also arise in response to a perceived threat, be it real or imagined. When it is not possible to regulate these situations, suffering and feelings of helplessness often ensue.
In a magazine article Frontiers of human neuroscience It has been pointed out that research has shown that women tend to be more thought-provoking and use less effective coping strategies than men. On average, people tend to recognize higher risk, which in turn leads them to spend more time in states of emotional rumination.
The article mentions that women tend to feel greater anxiety and fear when they make mistakes compared to men. This fear of failure or lack of self-confidence can negatively impact the ability to develop this type of disorder.
To fully understand why women are more affected by anxiety, conducting gender-specific and gender-sensitive research is essential. In recent years, science has begun to focus on the biological and social traits that influence the onset of trauma and other mental health problems.
Sociocultural Factors
At present, there is no denying that significant progress has been made in terms of gender equality in both the public and private spheres. More and more men are naturally taking on parental responsibility and sharing housework with their partners. In addition, it is important to note that women still face particular social and cultural pressures. Here I present some of them:
- Many people find themselves in the situation of having to balance work with responsibilities at home and caring for children.
- In general, it is more common for women to look after vulnerable people such as the elderly and the sick. This responsibility rests with them to a greater extent than with men.
- In the professional arena, women sometimes face additional pressure compared to men to demonstrate their skills and advance in their careers.
- Women face socio-cultural pressures that impose on them the need to always look beautiful and young. This can add an additional psychological burden to their lives.
traumatic experiences
Here’s an interesting fact: According to a study by a researcher at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, women are at a higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The prevalence of this factor varies by gender. On average, about 10-12% of women and about 5-6% of men are affected.
The reality of vulnerability can be partially explained by stressful experiences and trauma, such as sexual abuse or mistreatment. However, neurological factors that influence this susceptibility are also observed.
The cited study notes that women have a more hyperactive amygdala and hypothalamic-pituitary axis. This can lead to greater challenges in situations of high emotional distress.
What Strategies Can Help Women Reduce Anxiety?
Anxiety is more common in women, but there are several strategies that can help prevent this common reality in this demographic. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but rather a whole range of suitable approaches that are worth considering.
The tips that we describe below are not only for them, but also for other people suffering from this disease.
- Social care: A close-knit social group that can listen to and support women in any situation can help reduce the impact anxiety has on their lives.
- Improve lifestyle habits: It is highly recommended to adopt it healthier habits, such as exercising and improving our diet. These are effective strategies for an overall healthier life.
- The importance of emotional self-care: Emotional self-care is an essential strategy in women’s daily lives. This includes learning emotional regulation, relaxation and mindfulness techniques. Knowing how to switch off, prioritize, and enjoy hobbies is important to maintaining a healthy emotional balance.
- Cognitive strategies: When it comes to managing anxiety, learning how to manage your thoughts is important. It’s important to distinguish between helpful and unhelpful ideas, transform harmful ideas into healthier approaches, and avoid dwelling on emotions. These aspects play a major role in this area.
- Prevention in medical institutions: Women face numerous challenges related to hormonal changes throughout their reproductive lives. Finding primary care centers that implement prevention and support programs and provide emotional management and mental health resources is critical.
Anxiety, a multifactorial problem that needs more attention
It is important to remember that each person is unique and may be affected differently by anxiety. There are various individual and contextual factors that can influence an individual’s sensitivity to this topic. In this sense, it is important to emphasize that some women have great resilience and are able to deal effectively with fears. However, there are women who may have greater difficulties in this regard. There are also men who have struggled with anxiety disorders for years.
Today it is imperative that science develop gender and gender-sensitive research. This will help us better understand why women are more susceptible to certain clinical realities. It is important to remember that anxiety is one of the most common mental disorders in the population.
To ensure people’s mental health, it is essential to strengthen prevention and psychological care systems. Ensuring each individual receives a personalized, sensitive, and effective response is critical. This should be our goal that we want to achieve in the future.
With information from lamentesmaravillosa.com